An acquisition of Bloomfield-based Cigna Corp. by Anthem Inc. appears to be coming together with issues over who will lead the company being resolved, CNBC reported.

Anthem has made offers for Cigna at progressively rising prices in recent weeks, including a $184-per-share bid, totaling $47 billion, which Anthem made public June 20 in a letter from CEO Joseph Swedish to the Cigna board.

But who would lead the combined company had been a stumbling block. Cigna chief executive David Cordani initially insisted he become CEO immediately, but in June pushed for an assurance that he would be CEO in one or two years upon Swedish's retirement, according to the letter.

In addition to leadership, other governance issues — including how many seats each company would get on the new board of directors — still needed to be resolved.

Cigna declined to comment on the latest report, in which CNBC said the price is still being negotiated.

Last week's announcement that Hartford-based Aetna Inc. would acquire rival Humana in a $37 billion deal intensified pressure on Cigna and other big health insurers to pair off.

In the wildly blunt back-and-forth between Cigna and Anthem over their would-be $47 billion merger, the clash of CEOs drew headlines, but the heart of the issue is efficiency in the health system — as it is with the reportedly imminent deal between Aetna and Humana.

It's an old story with a new ...

(Dan Haar)

Health-plan providers are seeking to get bigger since Obamacare triggered a race for new customers.

Any deal will draw close scrutiny over antitrust concerns and there has been some speculation that the U.S. Department of Justice would examine the Aetna-Humana combination and a Cigna-Anthem deal together.

On the surface, it's a relief for Connecticut that Aetna would remain in charge of its destiny as Aetna. That's not just stability for...

We've rarely had to wait very long for Aetna to create drama over the last quarter-century, so this holiday weekend's $37 billion deal for Humana fits right in.

On the surface, it's a relief for Connecticut that Aetna would remain in charge of its destiny as Aetna. That's not just stability for...

(Dan Haar)

UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurer, also is said to be interested in a possible bid for Cigna, but that combination is less likely, CNBC said.

If Anthem and Cigna reach an agreement, the combination would create a health insurance giant with 53.2 million customers across all lines of business. Those include government-funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, commercial health insurance sold to employers, health plans sold to individuals and international business.

The deal would catapult Anthem ahead of the nation's largest health insurer, UnitedHealthcare, which has about 45.8 million customers.

Cigna appeals to Anthem because of its strong national accounts business, which is insurance offered to large employers; its stock of coverage from mid-sized businesses; and its specialty programs such as dental, vision and behavioral health. Cigna also was attractive for its wellness programs, Medicare business and its international business.

It remains unclear how both the Aetna and Cigna deals would affect employment in the state.

Anthem has a local subsidiary in Wallingford, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. Cigna is headquartered in Bloomfield and employs about 4,200 in Connecticut.